Back when Games Workshop released the first plastic Cadians, I wondered why their flak armour did not fully cover their guts. As someone engrossed in history, including historical armour, it always seemed odd. When browsing skis and protective gear in a sports supply store that was shutting down some years ago, it quickly became apparent where that design came from: Chest protective gear from motocross, and in particular protective kit in American football.

Are there other examples of modern sports equipment influencing aesthetic design in science fiction and fantasy? Please share and illustrate with pictures along with text.

So in game design, we look at how weaponry and armor changes over time. The funny thing about lots of modern sports equipment is it takes on a futuristic look because we are able to perform sophisticated tests to see if it will resist impact better. The same close fitting framework that you see in a football pad over the chest has the same weight distribution properties as what you might assume an Imperial Guardsmen would wear.